NEW DELHI India's Defence Minister George Fernandes calls U.S. a 'naughty boy' for latter's penchant for maintaining double-standards on international issues. They are naughty boys, said the outspoken Fernandes in reference to the U.S. policy of preaching nuclear disarmament to the world while continuing to retain its nuclear weapons, during his lecture on India's security threats in New Delhi. The Indian minister warned the U.S. against dictating India on its nuclear policy.

He went on to say that not only should India not sign the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT), but also exercise its option to make nuclear weapons in order to avoid becoming a passive CTBT acceptor. Harsh at the U.S. in particular, Fernandes said that he changed his thoughts and favoured India becoming a nuclear power, the day the United States pressurised India to sign the CTBT. My views have not changed after I became defence minister".

(IRNA)